Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
LIV
I t’s so easy to get lost in Julius’s kisses because I don’t think there is anything better than them. My body melts into his, and it’s not until I hear a few catcalls that I’m pulling back.
I forgot we’re in the middle of a bar for the whole town to see. How had that slipped my mind? Julius glares at everyone, and the sight of his annoyance makes me laugh.
“Hey, big guy.” I tug on his shirt to get his attention, and Julius gives it to me without hesitation. “They’re only teasing,” I reassure him. “It’s part of being in a small town.” I wiggle my finger for him to come down closer so I can whisper into his ear.
Instead, his hands go to my hips, and he lifts me right off my feet. In this position, we’re at eye level. My hands go to his shoulders to hold on. Not because I think he’s going to drop me, but I rather enjoy having the excuse to touch him.
“This is a lovely view.” A giggle bubbles out of me, and I glance around to see everyone from up here.
“What were you going to tell me?”
“Oh, right.” I lick my lips. “Now that everyone saw us kissing, they know you’re mine. Even Lola’s boobs.”
"I wasn't staring at her tits." A touch of pink lights up his cheeks. "I only want you."
"I should have asked you.” And I never should have trusted Troy. “I'm new to this dating stuff, and I've been crushing on you for a long time." I let out a sigh, and Julius’s eyes soften. "Also, I think I might be in love with you." My hand flies over my mouth. Why did I admit that?! I’m going to scare him off, but maybe I can blame the cocktails.
When Julius tries to speak, I cover his mouth too. I feel him smile behind it.
“Don’t respond to that, okay? We’re going to pretend I didn’t say it,” I tell him. “Nod if you understand.” His body shakes with silent laughter, but he nods his head.
I let my hand fall away from his mouth, and he smiles at me. “We’ll talk about it later.”
“So you two make up?” My sister pops up out of nowhere.
“You left me,” I accuse. I’m more teasing her than anything.
“I think it worked out for the best.”
“I suppose.” I wiggle, and Julius puts me back onto my feet. “I forgot I told my sister we’d have a girls’ night.”
“Actually, I think I’m going to head out. You two stay.”
“It’s late,” Julius says before I can respond to my sister. “We should take you home.”
Aw! He’s worried about my sister. I never should have listened to stupid Troy. Oh, I’ll be getting him back one way or another.
“I’ll be fine.” Lane grabs her purse off the chair.
“I’ll walk her.”
The voice comes from behind us, and I turn to see Sawyer standing there.
“Where did you come from?” I ask.
He’s so damn tall I don’t know how I could have missed him. I should have spotted him the second he walked in the door, but Julius stole all my attention.
“I’m always around.” Sawyer shrugs, and I don’t miss how his eyes move up and down my sister. I think he might be admiring my handiwork.
"I've noticed," Julius grunts, and his words hang in the air. I look between the two men, wondering what I missed.
"I'm going home with Julius," I announce using my liquid courage. "Right?" I turn my head to peek up at him. "I can go home with you?"
"Always." I can't help the giant smile that overtakes my face. I won't be shocked if my cheeks hurt tomorrow. "I've got their tab." Julius pulls out his wallet, dropping a hundred onto the bar.
"I can cover Lane's drinks." Sawyer goes for his wallet, tossing his hundred right on top of the other.
"Hey," my sister cuts in. "I can pay for my drinks."
Lane sways on her feet, and I realize we’ve both had more drinks than we’re used to. Sawyer is there to wrap an arm around her waist to keep her steady.
“I’ve got mine. You got yours?” Sawyer directs his question at Julius.
“Yours?” Julius asks, and Sawyer gives him a firm nod.
“Wait, yours?” Lane’s brow pulls together. “Are you talking about me?”
“Let’s go, kitten.” Sawyer doesn’t answer her question as he guides Lane toward the door. I can see her snipping at him, but she doesn’t pull away.
She can try and fight it, but I know there’s something there. Something she’s not willing to admit.
“Sawyer likes your sister?”
“I think so.” I turn to face Julius. “I guess seeing him kiss me on the cheek bothered you the same way Lola putting her boobs in your face bothered me.”
His whole body tenses. “I didn’t want to?—”
“I know.” I run my hands up his chest, pressing myself against him. “Are we getting out of here?” I wiggle my brows at him. “Maybe I’ll show you my boobs.”
“Liv.” Julius lets out a low groan. It’s then I notice something very hard pressed to my stomach.
“Are you?—”
“We’re leaving.” He tangles his fingers with mine and pulls me toward the entrance. People move quickly to get out of his way, and I have to fight not to laugh.
"I've never left a bar with a man before," I tell him when we're almost to his truck.
"You don't need to leave the bar with other men."
"Because I’ve already got one?"
"You've always had me, Liv." Julius opens the truck door and lifts me into the passenger seat. He reaches over and pulls on my seatbelt, and I place my hands on his cheeks, stopping him.
I press my lips to his and then swipe my tongue along his bottom lip. The touch elicits another low groan, and it sends a hot shiver down my spine.
“I love when you make that groaning sound. It makes me feel sexy and like you can’t control yourself.”
“I can’t control myself. That’s the reason I ended up at Dixon’s.” My gentle giant kisses the tip of my nose before closing the door.
"Are we going to share a bed?" I ask when we're almost to Julius’s home. The world tilts a little, but maybe that was me. I’m tipsy.
“I can take the couch,” he offers.
“And I get your giant bed all to myself?”
“If that’s what you want.” His gaze slides to me for a moment before returning to the road.
“I want to find out if I’m a cuddler. I bet I am. I have a few childhood stuffies I haven’t let go of yet, but I think I could replace them with you. Are you a cuddler?”
“No.” He rolls to a stop in front of his cabin.
“Oh.” I huff out a breath. That sucks because I think I could sleep on top of him.
“I mean, I don’t know. I’ve never cuddled before.”
“Really?” I unclip my seat belt and crawl over into his lap. “I bet I could turn you into a cuddler.”
“Liv, you could get me to do just about anything,” he admits, and then I feel his hands gripping my hips.
“Just about anything?” I tease.
Julius leans in, his expression serious, more serious than I’ve ever seen him before.
“Except let you go.” There is a hint of a warning in his tone, but to me it sounds like a promise.